Re: Locking All 3 CRS

For TransUnion I have both the myTransunion app and the TrueIdenity app. I prefer Trueidentiy because you can lock instantly and get a daily TU report. TrueIdentity is just a brand owned by TranUnion just like Credit Check Total is owned by Experian. The reports from the TrueIdentity site are very detailed but the app is lacking. You can not drill into the individual accounts on the app. But it’s nice to get a daily credit report right from the source because Credit Karma has had a few bugs on my reports. Like for example one day all my inquiries disappeared and I got excited. They came back 10 days later 😔

Yep, I prefer locking and use both of those. Experian used to be the only service I paid for with lock/unlock, but then Equifax gave me IDnotify service for EX that gives me lock/unlock for free. Locking & unlocking is so fast and you never know when you might need to unlock. This week I was in a BBVA bank branch making a deposit and the teller really encouraged me to apply for their Rewards Visa (when she gave me her biz card I realized she was actually an area sales rep). Took me only a minute to unlock EX on my phone so she could app for me & get approval.

Re: Locking All 3 CRS

I've had all 3 major CRA frozen for years. It's easy to do a temporary thaw if needed: I would usually set it to unfreeze the same day and automatically lock again a few days later. I don't apply for a credit card or ask for a CLI on a whim, so frozen reports are not much of an issue.

If there is a way to unfreeze in real time I would love to know about it.

I was opening a credit union account in the branch and they needed me to unfreeze on of my reports. I tried the EX online form and set it for today. Didn’t work. I called EX but it was after business hours. Is there a way to enter the pin in the phone tree? And again, is it real time. Otherwise I’m going to stick to locking.

I ended up missing out on a SUB because I had to make second trip to the credit union. The added legal protections of freezing don’t really benefit me. (They May benefit others that’s why I said it’s a personal choice/preference) I am never going to sue a CRA. But there are many occasions where I may decide I want to app for something immediately.

Re: Locking All 3 CRS

Morpho,

All interesting points!

I have always unfrozen at home on my laptop, but have never had to do so on a phone. Unfreezing has always been instant for all 3, even though some of them give a message to "give it 15 minutes". And you are right, the earliest re-freeze is midnight the next day.

I have never locked or unlocked. When you do that, are you dealing with the CRA's themselves, or a 3rd party?

My apps (if I have any) are always pre-planned well ahead of time, so unfreezing is not really a big deal for me.

Re: Locking All 3 CRS

As soon as you get done filling out the Experian form and it shows you the green check mark, you should be good to go.

Equifax and TransUnion are also real-time and with the myTransUnion app you can actually remove a lift when your app is done, same with the Equifax login. Only Experian is stuck until the next day at the earliest.

Scores 1/2019:Scores 9/2019:Hover over my cards to see my limits!Goal cards: Does it look like I really need any more cards? My goal is to garden until 2/2020.

Re: Freezing All 3 CRS

@CivalV wrote:I have not applied for any credit since December*** I am gardening and will continue to do so...

I would like some opinions on freezing all 3 CRS. I noticed the Experian app only allows it if you purchase their package. I pay $43 monthly with myfico. Wondering if I can offset that cost but also find a way to lock my reports with one site? Is this even possible? Ive lost 40 points on EX and TU due to my only loan being paid off and now I just want to make sure everything is secured.

Why not just freeze your accounts for free? All 3 CRS allow it. I have done it for the past 2 years, I have had no issues locking and unlocking multiple times.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION: All FICO® Score products made available on myFICO.com include a FICO® Score 8, along with additional FICO® Score versions. Your lender or insurer may use a different FICO® Score than the versions you receive from myFICO, or another type of credit score altogether. Learn more about other FICO Score versions.

FICO, myFICO, Score Watch, The score lenders use, and The Score That Matters are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fair Isaac Corporation. Equifax Credit Report is a trademark of Equifax, Inc. and its affiliated companies. Many factors affect your FICO Score and the interest rates you may receive. Fair Isaac is not a credit repair organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. Fair Isaac does not provide "credit repair" services or advice or assistance regarding "rebuilding" or "improving" your credit record, credit history or credit rating. FTC's website on credit.